Sorry, i know I'm chiming in a few days later...but i thought about this myself. I started down the email route (and my email does not use free email service, but my own custom domain name to have maximum control). Then, i wondered about my family/children having access to these emails...and then started thinking maybe i can script things to download the messages (via some automated imap, etc.)...and then convert to good ol' standard text files. And then, i thought, hey why not just draft my notes as barebones text files - just like some basic text based journal - in some directory, and make it easily accessible...Now i'm using this approach, but the more i think of it, the more i think pen and paper are best (as others have noted)...Of course alternatively, i can draft text files, and every so often, just print them out and store them in a safe, etc. But there's also the neat concept of drafting notes in pen and paper, so my kids can see my own handwriting...all of this is all about memories and nostalgia...for them. i hope that helps a little!